The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 48:14 against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was precise, throwing as many touchdowns as incompletions (five) in the divisional game. Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan each recorded two touchdowns and Bucky Irving surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark and 1,000 rushing milestone this year. Defensively, Todd Bowles provided mixed pressure and coverage, especially on third down, and five different players recorded sacks against Bryce Young in Week 17 against the Panthers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored points on their first five possessions and the club racked up 551 net yards of offense in the thrilling victory, the second-most in a game in 2024 and the sixth-most in a single game in franchise history.

The Buccaneers amassed 202 rushing yards against Carolina, their fourth game this season with over 200 yards on the ground – the fourth-most such performances by a team in 2024. Tampa Bay’s seven straight games with over 100 yards on the ground is second-best. longest active streak in the NFL, behind only Philadelphia (16). Bucky Irving posted a season-high 190 yards from scrimmage, including 20 carries for 113 yards and four receptions for a season-high 77 receiving yards. With his 113 yards on the ground, Irving surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing milestone, becoming the first Tampa Bay player to accomplish the feat since Doug Martin in 2015. Irving was the first Bucs rookie to achieve this feat since Martin in 2012.

He had back-to-back explosive plays in the second quarter that gave Mike Evans his second touchdown of the day. On Irving’s 34-yard run, Graham Barton and Tristan Wirfs executed a counterplay and Evans made a crucial block to seal the outside. Irving took advantage of a deadly stutter step and got north. On the following play, Irving gained 42 yards after a delay. Baker Mayfield faked the play-action, then hit Irving on the screen and it spun up. Irving ran with sensational vision, grit and determination in Week 17. He rushed for a season-high 111 yards after contact and left defenders reeling with his close-range quickness. Irving identified optimal running tracks and quickly accelerated through folds.

Mayfield completed 27 of 32 passes (84.4%) for 359 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, compared to zero interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 153.0 – his highest mark of the season and the second highest number of his career. Mayfield’s 84.4% completion rate represents the fourth-highest single-game scoring average of his career. He played accurately in the pocket and distributed the football to multiple targets. Mayfield was patient in his progression and put his arm strength on full display. He scored 11 straight completions at halftime and led a masterclass against a divisional opponent. Whether it was putting the ball in the hands of Payne Durham before executing a two-high before the safeties fell, or hitting Evans with an in-breaker to give him the opportunity for yards after the catch To be honest, Mayfield really let it rip in the duel that absolutely had to be won.

Mike Evans collected a team-high eight receptions for a team-high 97 yards and two receiving touchdowns. With his performance, Evans surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Largent (819) for the 36th most receptions in NFL history and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famers Tim Brown and Don Hutson (105) for the 21st most touchdowns in of NFL history. On his touchdown on the first drive, Evans scored an inside ball. He faked going outside for a fade route, and when the defensive back took the bait, Evans went inside for the score, giving the Bucs a 7-0 lead. His second touchdown of the second quarter came on a back-shoulder grab on a fade – the future Hall of Fame receiver’s bread and butter.

Jalen McMillan continued his scoring streak, recording five catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns. McMillan has recorded at least one score in four straight games while collecting six touchdown receptions. His four straight games with a receiving touchdown represent the fourth-longest streak by a rookie in NFL history. On his first touchdown of the day in the second quarter, McMillan was not the main target, but he continued to work to make himself available and Mayfield found him in the back of the end zone for a 27-7 lead.

The Buccaneers recorded 5.0 sacks in Sunday’s win, the second-most sacks in a game this season. Tampa Bay received 1.0 sacks from five different players and has the most players with at least 1.0 sacks in a game since the start of the 2014 season, including Calijah Kancey, Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, Logan Hall and Chris Braswell Jr.

Tampa Bay limited Carolina to 39 rushing yards on the day and held their opponent to fewer than 40 yards on the ground for the third straight game. The three-game stretch is the longest such streak since the 2013 Detroit Lions in Weeks 10-13. Tampa Bay’s 102 rushing yards allowed over the last three games is the lowest total a team has allowed over a three-game stretch since the same Lions team in 2013. The Buccaneers have held their opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards in seven straight games, which is not only the longest active streak in the NFL but also the longest such streak of any team this season. Carolina was shut out in the second half after some coverage errors led to big gains for Adam Thielen and two touchdowns for the Panthers’ best pass catcher in the first half.

To end the game with a 41-14 lead, Joe-Tryon Shoyinka blocked the Panthers’ punt and took it off Johnny Hekker’s foot. JJ Russell recovered the football and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown. It was Tampa Bay’s first blocked punt return for a touchdown since November 11, 2012 against San Diego.